Quick: What channel is MTV2 on your cable system? You don’t know? Go on, ask your kids (I’ll wait).
You need to find out, and to tune in, because the Viacom-owned music network is home to one of the most innovative. Video Mods are animated MTV music videos starring animated characters from popular digital games.
You need to find out, and to tune in, because the Viacom-owned music network is home to one of the most innovative shows on TV, a self-described (by its host) “cross-breeding bastard” of a program that is a captivating experiment in branded entertainment.
The show is “Video Mods,” and it centers on original music videos that feature animated characters from popular video games dancing, singing and acting in vignettes based on hit songs.
The videos are compelling. One features characters from Electronic Arts’ Sims 2 game acting out a teen fantasy based on the Fountains of Wayne song “Stacey’s Mom.” Other videos mix singles from Evanescence, Black Eyed Peas and the Vines with characters from Leisure Suit Larry, Jade Empire and Outlaw Golf 2.
The segments between songs feature interviews with musicians about which video games they play on their tour buses and reports on the latest installment of a popular Tony Hawk game or the introduction of a portable Nintendo system with a modem port. Video-game publishers buy up some of the commercial inventory, but there are also
In the video mod 'Dip It Low,' a character from the game Jade Empire performs a song within her gamescape environment.
spots for teen-oriented slasher films and youth brands such as Cingular, Sierra Mist and Bod deodorant spray.
“Video Mods” is an ideal convergence of entertainment and marketing. The show simultaneously promotes music artists, record labels, video games and game consoles, while accumulating young male eyeballs for MTV2 to sell to sponsors. On the Web site, there are even links to buy games promoted in the videos.
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